How much are the Smithsonians?
Admission to all Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C., is free. The museums are open seven days a week.
Collectively called the Smithsonian Institution, this world-renowned museum and research complex in the District consists of 17 museums, galleries and a zoo. Each one is free to enter, and across the spectrum, you can learn about the origins of man, the wonders of art, the history and future of flight and so much more.
Once inside, the average guest stays for about 2 hours. This museum covers the entire world! You can learn about various ecosystems and animal life from dinosaurs to dogs. There is something for everyone!
Admission is free of charge at all locations except the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City. Timed-entry passes are required at the following locations: National Museum of African American History and Culture.
We highly recommend reserving advance timed passes to this extremely popular Smithsonian museum on the National Mall. You may obtain up to six (6) advance passes. Timed passes are always required on weekends, while during peak season (March – August), passes are required for entry before 1 p.m. every day of the week.
Are backpacks, water bottles, and snack items allowed in the museum? We allow backpacks in our museum. Visitors are permitted to bring food and beverages in sealed containers inside a backpack or other bag. Food and beverages may not be consumed in the museum.
- National Museum of American History. ...
- National Gallery of Art. ...
- United States Botanic Garden. ...
- National Museum of African Art. ...
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. ...
- National Museum of Natural History. ...
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. ...
- National Museum of the American Indian.
Suitcases, large umbrellas, and backpacks are not allowed in the galleries. Security officers may ask you to hand-carry smaller backpacks, or wear them on your front, to protect the artworks. Please note that we do not offer coat check or bag storage at this time. Strollers are permitted in the galleries.
The International Spy Museum is another great attraction that is worth the entrance fee. Since its opening in 2002, it has educated people of all ages on the history of espionage both in the USA and abroad. In fact, the International Spy Museum boasts the largest collection of spy-related artifacts in the world.
Bathrooms are located throughout the Smithsonian museums. All bathrooms have an accessible stall, and some museums have a Family/Companion Care restroom. Inquire at the museum Information Desk or look at the museum's map to find bathroom locations.
Why are the Smithsonians free?
The Smithsonian Institution has, in fact, kept its museums and the zoo free so that they are not cost-prohibitive for schoolchildren or others -- "so you don't have to have any income level" to enjoy them -- Smithsonian Institution spokesperson Linda St.
Hand-sanitizing stations will be available throughout our facilities. As of March 11, 2022, masks are not required to visit Smithsonian museums or the National Zoo. While it will not be required, all visitors who feel more comfortable wearing a face mask during their visit are encouraged to do so.
![How much does it cost to go to the Smithsonians? (2024)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oese1nrwXk0/hq720.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEcCNAFEJQDSFXyq4qpAw4IARUAAIhCGAFwAcABBg==&rs=AOn4CLAl7NKCPScCi66IXE6VYX5LWDyhuA)
If you're backpacking Washington D.C, expect to spend about $85 per day. On this budget, you can stay in a hostel dorm, use public transportation to get around, cook all your meals, and do free activities like visit the Smithsonian and take free walking tours.
We recommend setting aside 2-3 hours to tour the entire Zoo.
Visitors may only take what they need into the collections. Bags and coats: You may be asked to leave bags and coats in lockers or secure areas outside of collections. Personal items: You may be provided with a clear carrier bag to transfer your personal items into in order to take into collections areas.
Open seven days a week. 10:00 a.m - 5:30 p.m., including holidays with the exception of December 25th when we are closed to the public. Visitors may enter from the National Mall on Madison Drive or Constitution Ave.
Picnic space
If you would prefer to bring your own food, the Picnic Area is open on the lower ground floor in the Green Zone.
The Smithsonian permits still and video photography for noncommercial use only in its museums and exhibitions, unless otherwise posted. For the safety of our visitors and collections, the use of tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks is not permitted at any time.
When In Doubt, Wear Business Casual. Many of the National Institutions, like the Smithsonian Institution complex, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Natural History Museum are around the same area. This gives you a highly conservative and political vibe.
What tours are free in Washington DC?
- The National Mall Tour. Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Matti Blume used under CC BY-SA 4.0. ...
- The All In One Tour. ...
- Old Town Alexandria Walking Tour. ...
- Historic Georgetown Tour. ...
- Smithsonian Museums Tours. ...
- Lincoln Assassination Tour. ...
- Washington DC Ghost Tours. ...
- Secrets and Scandals Tour.
In Washington DC, most metered street parking throughout the city is free overnight. That's in addition to free general parking on Sundays and National Holidays — so if you pay attention, you can save some serious money on parking costs.
- All "Free Parking" results in Washington, DC. Showing 1-60 of 212.
- Ronald Reagan Building Parking. 1.2 mi. 48 reviews. ...
- City Center Parking Lot. 0.8 mi. ...
- Lincoln Memorial. 1.8 mi. ...
- CityCenterDC Parking Garage. 0.8 mi. ...
- Union Station. 1.7 mi. ...
- National Zoo Parking. 1.8 mi. ...
- National Mall. 1.6 mi.
- ELECTRONIC SUPER HIGHWAY/Portrait Gallery.
- Amelia Earhart/Air & Space Museum.
- Bill Clinton's sax/American History.
- Space Station/Air&Space.
- Rosie the Riveter/American History.
- Allies in War.
- Chuck Berry's Cadillac/MAAHC.
Open 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. The museum's largest café. Outside food continues to be prohibited in the museum.
Since the completion of the Arts and Industries Building, the Smithsonian has expanded to twenty separate museums with roughly 137 million objects in their collections, including works of art, natural specimens, and cultural artifacts. The Smithsonian museums are visited by over 25 million people every year.
Great for NOLA voodoo history context, not much about the religion itself. No cemetery. The museum is small but jam packed with interesting information. The tour was mostly about the role of Voodoo in NOLA history, which was very cool.
How long should I spend at Spy? Most visitors spend 2 -3 hours touring the permanent exhibition at the Spy Museum; 1 – 2 hours on the fifth floor and 1 hour on the fourth. The last ticket is sold 1 hour prior to closing.
It's impossible to miss the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. Set on the National Mall, this 1910 Beaux-Arts building with a soaring rotunda is one of the most visited museums in D.C.—and the world—bringing in 4.2 million visitors in 2019.
As Around the Mall blog and others have reported, this myth may have been perpetuated by the movie Night at the Museum, but there are no storage facilities under the Mall. However, there are unused tunnels under the National Mall that connect the Smithsonian Castle and the National Museum of Natural History.
Where are Dorothy's ruby slippers?
The pair was first displayed at the National Museum of American History in an exhibition called “1939″ (the year “Wizard of Oz” was released). That exhibit ran through 2012, and the shoes are now part of the museum's permanent “American Stories” collection.
Visitors may bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks into the Zoo. However, all trash must be properly disposed of. Visitors may not bring in alcohol. Glass bottles are discouraged; broken glass presents a danger to visitors, employees and animals.
Collectively called the Smithsonian Institution, the world-renowned museum and research complex consists of 17 museums and galleries in Washington, DC, including the National Zoo.
Valuing World Cultures
As a steward and ambassador of cultural connections, with a presence in some 100 countries and expertise and collections that encompass the globe, we will build bridges of mutual respect, and present the diversity of world cultures and the joy of creativity with accuracy, insight, and reverence.
New employees must either provide proof of vaccination or be granted a medical or religious exemption before working with the Government of the District of Columbia.
Budget savvy travelers will often profess that February is the best time to visit Washington DC because of the discount hotel rates and quieter crowds.
Washington DC is a great place to visit throughout the year. While there are endless things to see and do in this vibrant city, you can pack a lot into a two-day visit.
Washington, D.C. is one of the most historical cities in the country with lots of attractions and sights, so it's an awesome place to visit. Even if you're short on time, a Washington, D.C. day trip from New York City will give you enough time to see the highlights.
From July 1, 2016, admission is free to all museums and facilities for both local and foreign visitors. As of March 1, 2022 walk-in visitors are accepted while advance booking through https://reservation.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/ is required for groups of 20-30 persons.
Things to Know Before You Go
Admission to the museum is free. Group tours are available if booked in advance. Photography for personal use is allowed, though the use of flash is not permitted. Food, bottled water, and ballpoint pens are not permitted inside the museum.
Can I wear shorts in National Museum?
There's no dress code.
Parking. There is free car parking in Dawes Park. It has 48 spaces, with three for Blue Badge holders and two parent-and-toddler spaces. The Akeman Street car park is open.
11 of the 20 Smithsonian Institution museums and galleries are at the National Mall in Washington D.C., the open-area national park in Washington, D.C. running between the Lincoln Memorial and the United States Capitol, with the Washington Monument providing a division slightly west of the center.
The Smithsonian has two sources of funding - federal appropriations and income generated from gifts, revenue-generating activities, and investments (referred to as Smithsonian "trust funds").
- National Museum of American History. ...
- National Gallery of Art. ...
- United States Botanic Garden. ...
- National Museum of African Art. ...
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. ...
- National Museum of Natural History. ...
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. ...
- National Museum of the American Indian.
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
- National Museum of African American History and Culture.
- National Gallery of Art.
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
- National Air and Space Museum.
$73,493. The estimated total pay for a Research Scientist at Smithsonian is $73,493 per year. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users.
The Louvre, Paris
By size, The Louvre, in Paris, France is the largest museum on Earth, with nearly 73,000 square metres of exhibition space. By reputation, it's also one of the best and holds works from antiquity to the 19th Century, including the world-famous Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa.
How much does a Director make at Smithsonian Institution in the United States? Average Smithsonian Institution Director yearly pay in the United States is approximately $186,822, which is 115% above the national average.